Former Japan PM Abe seeks AUKUS and Japan partnership on cyber security and AI

In mid-September, Australia, the US, and the UK agreed on a new security partnership that will see Australia acquiring technology to deploy nuclear-powered submarines.

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson revealed that whilst the AUKUS partnership will start with nuclear-powered submarines, the members expect to increase the advancement of other defence systems such as cyber, AI and quantum computing.

In a speech on an online forum, Abe said that “a key to realising a free and open Indo-Pacific is ensuring like-minded countries’ mid-to long-term engagement with the Indo-Pacific region. From this standpoint, I welcome the formation of AUKUS.”

He added that “it is extremely important to carry out multi-layered efforts to promote the peace and stability of the Indo-Pacific region, I believe Japan should engage in AUKUS cooperation in such areas as cyber capabilities, artificial intelligence and quantum technologies.”

Japanese ambassador to Australia, Shingo Yamagami, shares similar views to Abe, and hinted that Japan was looking for avenues to participate in AUKUS initiatives such as AI and cyber.